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Heavy Metals, Silver Dental Fillings and Chronic Disease
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Most American dentists treat tooth decay by drilling and filling teeth using “silver“ fillings. This has been the accepted practice for several generations. Silver fillings are actually a mixture of silver, copper, tin, zinc and mercury. The amount of mercury in this mix is approximately 50% and older fillings may contain even more.
Mercury is one of the most poisonous substances known to man. Unknown to most of us, the safety of silver fillings has been debated since the 1800’s. The current official opinion of the American Dental Association is still that when mercury is combined with other metals and used in dental fillings, the properties of mercury are rendered harmless. There is, however, a growing awareness among health care practitioners that this is not the case. Incidentally, in some states there are warnings out to dentists not to use silver fillings in children and pregnant women. Several European countries have banned the use of mercury fillings.
Research has shown that mercury vapor is continuously released from silver fillings in measurable amounts from the instant the fillings are inserted. Mercury is inhaled, swallowed and absorbed directly into the mouth. Hal Huggins DDS., in his breakthrough book titled: “It’s All in Your Head- Diseases Caused by Silver - Mercury Fillings”, describes his work in establishing that mercury is indeed released from silver fillings and can produce illness. Additionally he shows that proper filling removal and removal of stored mercury in the body has been shown to result in remission of the illness.
Studies have linked mercury exposure from the environment with a variety of illnesses including allergies, chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia, depression, GI disorders, immune system suppression, neurological disorders, birth defects, kidney disease, heart problems, hypertension and skin disease. Mercury can interfere with any process or organ in the body, but it has a marked effect on the immune system. If a person has a chronic health problem for which a case cannot be found and mercury fillings are present in the mouth, mercury toxicity may be a contributing factor. While mercury usually heads the list, other heavy metals such as lead and arsenic may also be to blame for chronic ailments. These poisonous metals are in our environment in ever growing amounts and accumulate in our bodies through the years.
To test for mercury levels (or other toxic metals) in a person the compound DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic Acid) is used to chelate (bind to) the metals in a provocative oral dose. Analyzing for toxic metals in a collection of urine over the subsequent 6 hours can give an indication of the level in the body. If levels are substantial, DMSA can then be used to rid the body of toxic metals. If this is the case, your doctor will explain the dosages of DMSA required.
If you decide to have your silver fillings removed, care must be taken to go to a qualified dentist. Large scale unprotected silver filling removal can make your condition worse. Your doctor can advise you in this regard.
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